Crossandra: How To Plant, Grow And Care
Crossandra is a very different type of plant. It’s part of the Acanthaceae family, also known as the African violet family, and is native to Madagascar. There are not many Crossandra plants available commercially as they are tricky to grow and cultivate. However, if you have the right conditions and learn how to grow Crossandra, it can be a very rewarding houseplant or garden addition.
There are around 20 species of Crossandra currently in cultivation which makes them rare but also fascinating indoor plants suitable for beginners and advanced terrarium enthusiasts. They have beautiful purple petals with yellow centers that almost look like the inside of an onion when viewed from the outside. Read on to discover everything you need to know about growing and caring for crossandra so you can create the perfect environment for your plant!
Crossandra Characteristics
Crossandra is one of the easiest tropical plants to grow indoors. These types of plants usually need a warm, humid environment to thrive. Crossandra originates from the tropics of Madagascar and grows well in a range of conditions, which is why they are so popular.
Despite their exotic name and appearance, Crossandra plants are actually in the same family as African violets. They are also referred to as ‘false African violets’ because of their similar appearance. Crossandra plants have beautiful flowers with purple petals and yellow centers. If you want to grow Crossandra to enjoy their flowers, you’ll need to grow them indoors in a warm, humid environment. Since Crossandra plants are from tropical regions, they won’t survive in cold climates.
Where to Grow Crossandra
Crossandra plants thrive in warm, humid environments. You can grow them indoors or outside in warm, humid climates that are frost-free. This makes them perfect plants for indoor terrariums, where their soil can be kept constantly moist. If you live in a warm, humid climate, you can grow Crossandra outside in the ground. You may need to protect them from frost during the winter, though. If you live in a cold climate, they can be grown indoors in containers.
See Also: Hellebores Plant, Grow and Care
Crossandra Plant Care
Crossandra is one of the easiest plants to grow, but it does need particular conditions to thrive.
Light
Crossandra plants prefer partial shade but will tolerate full sun. If you live in a warm, humid climate and are growing your plant outside, it will need full sun most of the day. Indoors, you can place your plant in part or full shade.
Temperature and Humidity
Since Crossandra is from the tropics, it prefers warm, humid conditions. If you live in a warm, humid climate, you can grow your plant outside year-round. If you live in a cooler climate, you can grow your plant indoors in a warm, humid environment, such as a terrarium.
If you want to grow Crossandra outside, you’ll need to protect it from frost. You can do this by covering your plant with frost cloth or moving it indoors if temperatures drop below freezing. If you want to grow your plant indoors, you’ll need to create a warm, humid environment.
This can be done by placing your plant in a tray of water. Humidity levels should be between 40-50%. If your indoor humidity is too low, you can use a humidifier or place your plant next to a water source such as a sink.
Soil
Crossandra plants do not have special soil requirements. If you are growing your plant outdoors, you can use regular garden soil. The soil should be moist at all times because these plants are prone to root rot. If you are growing your plant indoors in a container, you can use a regular potting mix.
Water
Crossandra plants are prone to root rot, which can be fatal. They should be kept moist at all times, but not soggy. If the soil dries out, it should be watered again. You can use a water meter to keep track of how much moisture is in the soil.
Fertilizer
You can fertilize your Crossandra once every month by using a water-soluble fertilizer. Use a general-purpose fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Avoid fertilizers high in potassium, as they can inhibit blooming. Fertilizer should be applied to the soil, not the leaves of the plant.
Potting soil should be fertilized once every month, while regular garden soil should be fertilized every 3-4 weeks. Crossandra plants do not need to be repotted, but you can do so if you wish. If you repot your plant, you should use soil that is slightly on the looser side. If you repot your plant during the growing season, you should use potting soil with high humidity.
Pruning
Crossandra plants do not need to be pruned and should not be pruned during the growing season. However, if your plant is indoors and you only want it for ornamental reasons, it can be pruned to control its growth. You can prune your plant as needed but should wait until the growing season is over. If you want to propagate your plant, you can do so during the growing season. Select healthy leaves and dip them in water. Once they have rooted, they can be cut and planted.
Propagating Crossandra
You can propagate your Crossandra plant through leaf propagation. Select healthy leaves and dip them in water. Once they have rooted, they can be cut and planted in soil. If you want more plants, you can also take cuttings from your Crossandra plant. Cut the stalk halfway down, remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
You can also divide your plant to create new plants. This is a good idea if your plant is too big for its container or if it’s getting too large for your indoor environment. To divide your plant, wait until the growing season is over. Remove the plant from the container and cut it down in the middle. You can then replant each half in a new container or pot.
Summary
Crossandra plants are from the tropics of Madagascar and are part of the Acanthaceae family. Despite their exotic name, they are actually related to African violets. Crossandra plants have beautiful purple petals and yellow centers, and they prefer partial shade. If you want to grow Crossandra, you’ll need to create a warm, humid environment.
If you live in a warm, humid climate, you can grow your plant outside in the ground. If you live in a cold climate, you can grow your plant indoors in a container. When growing Crossandra, make sure to water it regularly and fertilize it once a month. If you want to propagate your plant, you can take cuttings from it or divide it to create new plants.
FAQs
Does Crossandra like acidic soil?
It was possible to grow Cassandra in a variety of soils. It grows best on fertile, red loamy soils with a pH range of 6 to 7.5. It tolerates slightly acidic soil but will not grow well. If the pH drops below 6.5, the petals will begin to fall off.
Can I grow Crossandra indoors?
It can be grown indoors in a warm, humid environment with a soil mix that is slightly on the dryer side and is low in organic matter. If you feel like growing Crossandra indoors, you can use terrariums or plastic pots with a plant foundation. A container filled with potting soil should be half sand and half peat moss with some organic material such as pine bark added for drainage. Do not use commercial potting mixtures that contain acid-based materials such as lime or sulfur because they will kill your plant.
How often should I water Crossandra?
Crossandra plants are extremely sensitive to overwatering. To prevent this, you should water your plant once the top inch of the soil feels dry. If the soil is particularly dry or if you’re growing your plant indoors, you may want to water it twice a week or every other day.
Do I need special pots for Crossandra?
It’s possible to grow Crossandra in pots, but it should be grown in plastic containers with a wide opening to allow for drainage because the soil will be wet for most of the year. It can also be grown in terrariums if you live in an area that gets a lot of humidity from summer rain showers.
Nowadays, they are also available in home and garden stores. They grow well in a good climate with correct care.
They like bright light and room temperature.
They can stay outdoors year-round but will do better with indoor winterization. They need to be placed next to a window or in the broad shade, otherwise, the leaves become misshaped when they get cold at night.